Carving machine structure



Feb. 22, 1944; J. N. KIRBY ETA; 2,342,473

cARvINc MACHINE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. '7, 1941 Patented Feb. 22, 1944 Julian N. Kirby and Ear Minn., assignors to St.

l W. Grumke, St. Paul, Paul Machinery Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application August 7, 1941, Serial No. 405,769

12 Claims.

Our invention relates to an improvement in carving machine structure, and more specifically to an attachment for the carving machine which prevents the cutter bar with the spindles from drifting from side-to side and insures their staying in any position wanted. The carving machine on which the attachment is used may be similar in general to the carving machine disclosed in Patent No. 2,018,763, issued October 29, 1935, to Julian N. Kirby.

In carving machines of the multiple spindle 'type designed to carve a plurality of articles simultaneously, the spindles for supporting the carving tools aremounted for movement in unison in any desired direction. When the machine is stopped, the arms supporting the cutter bar have a tendency to wander, moving all of the spindles.

It is the object of our invention to provide a simple device connected to one or more of the 'spindle arms which will tend to hold the arm in any setl position. Thus at any time when the operator releases the cutter bar it will remain in the same position until it is again moved.

It is a feature of our invention to provide a Weight or balance connected between the spindle supporting arms, and some xed member on the hollow shaft supporting the spindle arms. This weight or balance is so connected to the fixed support as to pivot through a dead center position as the arms pivot through central position. As the angularity of the arms from center position increases, the angularity of the weight from vertical dead center position increases. Thus the eiective force of ythe weight increases with the need for the weight.

It is a feature of our invention that the weight can be raised or lowered on its supporting rod and is always in operation. Thus, each time the operator releases the cutter bar, the weight or balance will act to hold the spindles in position until the operator moves the cutter bar. The Weight can be moved up and down on its vertical supporting bar. This, with the universal joints in the construction, gives a very delicate adjustment to prevent side drift. In eliminating side drift at all times the operation of the machine is made easien These and other objects and novel features of our invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specication and claims.

In the'drawing forming a part of our specification: f

Figure 1 isy a. diagrammatic top plan view of a multiple spindle carving machine showing the attachment in place thereupon.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the hollow tubular shaft supporting the spindle arms and showing the attachment in place thereupon.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the balancing mechanism illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing.

Figure 4 is a rearelevation view of the spindle arm balancing mechanism illustrated in Figures 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view through the fixed support and securing the weight arm to the machine.

Figure 6 is a sectional view through a section of the weight arm and means connecting the Weight arm to the spindle arm.

Figure '7 is a sectional view through the support connecting the spindle arm with the link connected to the weight arm.

The carving machines A is illustrated generally in Figure 1 of the drawing, many of the details of the'construction thereof being omitted in crder to simplify the present application. In general the carving machine comprises a frame IIJ including end frame members II which are vconnected beneath the bed or table of the carving machine. The upper extremities of the end frame members II are connected by two beams that support the table or hold the centers.v The machine A is of the duplicating or reproducing variety wherein a tracer is employed working over a pattern or template.

The end frame members II carry tracks I3 and I4 which extend from the front to the rear of the machine. The tracks I3 and I4 are parallel and support a forwardly and rearwardly movable carriage. or rollers I5 and It movable onthe tracks I3 and I4, and which are enclosed by enclosing casings II and IS respectively. The rollers I5'and I6 are mounted upon a single shaft extending the length of the machine, which shaft may be centrally spliced, if desired, to simplify shipping and moving the machine. This center shaft 20 extends through a hollow pipe 2 l.

The shaft 20 is centrally provided with a roller 22 which is mounted upon a guide track 23 for further support. Suitable means are provided to maintain the rollers I5, I6, and 22 equally advanced orvretarded upon the tracks. These means usually comprise wires or tapes wound upon the rollers and centrally secured thereto, and arrangedwith the ends of the tapes secured to the tracks, so as to unwind one endof the This movable carriage includes Wheels tape from the roller as the lother end of the tape is wound thereupon. These tapes hold the shaft 2|) and the hollow shaft 2| mounted thereupon in proper relation to the bed and frame of the machine.

Pivotal supports, such as the pivoting collars I8, illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, are mounted in spaced relationship upon the tubular shaft 2| and form pivotal supports for the spindle arms 24. Aligned pivots 25 extend through the loop-shaped or yoke-shaped ends 26 of the arms 24 and into the collars I8 in order to pivotally support the arms 24.

The forward ends of the arms 24 are connected by means of a transversely extending cutter bar 21. This cutter bar 21 acts to support tool spindies 29 in spaced relationship. As is usual in devices of this sort, motors such as 33 are secured to pivotal mounting plates, secured to the rear end of certain of the arms 24, and each motol` 36 is provided with a pulley 3|, designed to drive a belt 32 which extends around pulleys o1 one or more of the spindles 29 to cause rotation of the spindles. A spindle motor 30 may be provided for each spindle, or several spindles may be rotated by a single motor as in the construction illustrated.

The spindles 29 are designed to support carving tools in the usual manner and these carving tools may operate over the machine bed 33 as illustrated in Figure l of the drawing, or may operate over work mounted between simultaneously rotatable centers in the manner well known in the art. The construction of the spindles, as well as the construction of the rotatable centers, is not illustrated in detail as this construction forms no part of the present invention.

Secured to a xed support on the pipe 2 i, such as the casing 34 enclosing the wheel or roller 22, we provide a bracket arm 35 which is attened at one end 36. This flattened end 36 rests against the casing 34 and is secured thereto by suitable means, such as the screws or bolts 31. The bracket arm 35 is equipped with a cylindrical shoulder portion 33 from which projects a stud 4i). A collar 4| is mounted upon the stud 4i) and is held in rplace by a nut 42 and lock nut 43. The nut and lock nut permit rotation of the collar 4| about the axis of the stud 40.

Projecting upwardly from the collar 4|, we provide a Weight arm 44, upon which is slidably mounted a weight 45. A set screw 46, or other suitable means, is provided whereby the position of the weight 45 may be adjusted. Obviously when the weight arm 44 is in vertical position, the weight is supported entirely by the bracket 35. When moved `to one side or to the other of this central dead center position the weight 45 creates a tendency to move the weight arm 44 either in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

A strengthening rib 41 is shown extending along the rear edge 4S of the loop-shaped end 26 of the arm 24. A bracket block 56 is secured to this rear end 49 and is vertically slidable thereupon, and may be secured to the weight arm by any suitable means, such as by the set screw The block 56 is grooved at 52 to accommodate the stiffening rib 41 on the arm 24. A shoulder boss 53 extends outwardly from the block 50 and a stud 54 projects outwardly from the boss 53. A collar 55 is freely rotatable on the stud 54 and is held in place by a locking collar 56 which is .secured in locking position by a set screw or ke pin 51.

A yoke 59 is provided with a bifurcated end 66 designed to embrace opposite sides of the rotatable collar and aligned pivot pins 6| extend through the bifurcated end 60 of the yoke 59 and into the collar 55 to pivotally attach the yoke to the collar. The rotation of the collar 55 about the stud 54 and rotation of the yoke 59 about the pivot pairs 6l permits universal movement between the yoke 59 and the block 50.

A socket 62 is provided in the yoke 59 and a link or connecting rod 63 has one end engaged in this socket 62. The link 63 is held in place by suitable securing means, such as the set screw 64. The opposite end of the link 63 is connected to a yoke 65 similar to the yoke 59. As best illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawing, the yoke 65 is provided with a socket 66 to receive the end of the link or connecting rod 63, which is held in place by a pin or set screw 61. The socket 65 is also provided with a bifurcated end 69 which is designed to embrace opposite sides of a collar i6 freely rotatable on the weight arm 44.

Collars 1| and 1.2, locked in place by -any suitable means such as the set screws 13, hold the collar 16 in adjusted position. As the collar 10 may rotate freely on the weight arm 44 and as pins 14 connect the bifurcated end 69 of the yoke 55 to this collar 1i! universal movement is provided between the weight arm 44 and the link or connecting rod 63.

The operation of the device is believed obvious from the foregoing description. When the attachment is secured in place, the spindle arms 24 are placed in center position and the position of the collar 12 is adjusted so that the weight arm 44 will extend vertically when the arm is in central position. In the operation of the carving machine the spindles are moved transversely of the table 33 or of the work supporting centers, thus pivoting the arms 24 out of center position. As the angularity between the arms 24 and center position increases. the an-gularity of the weight arm 44 with its vertical dead center position is increased. By properly adjusting the position of the weight 45 upon the weight arm 44, the tendency for the spindles and spindle supporting beam 21 to drift toward center position is effectively counteracted. We have found in the use of our device that the spindles 29 will remain in any set position, thus permitting the operator to stop the carving operation at any time without any danger of the vspindles moving out of set position.

The spindle arms 24 are normally biased toward center position by the belts 32 connecting the spindles to the motors. These belts have a tendency to draw the arms into central position. In Figure 1 of the drawing it will be noted that belts 32 connect the motors 3|) to the various spindles and these spindles are on either side of a center line extending through the motor. As a result of the operation oi these belts there is a general tendency for the various spindle arms to drift toward approximate center position when the tracer is released. This is inconvenient for the workman operating the machine, as it is necessary to return the spindle to the position where the cutting action was left off and continuing the carving process. For years this tendency has been noted, but little attempt to correct the same has previously been made insofar as we are aware,

By providing our attachment, which operates in the manner above specified, we have been able to counteract this tendency for the spindle to drift, which tendency Aappears to increase in proportion to the angular distance of the spindle arms from center position. By properly adjusting the position of the Weight 45, the normal tendency for the spindle to drift toward center position in any machine may be properly counteracted.

In accordance with the patent statutes, We have described the principles of construction and operation of our carving machine structure, and while We have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, We desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made provided said changes come within the scope of the claims.

We claim:

l. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member extending longitudinally thereof, a series of arms pivotally secured to said tool carrying member, means'pivotally connecting said arms so that all of said arms will move in unison, and counterbalancing means for exerting a force upon said arms on either side of a central position thereof to hold said arms in set angular relationship to said tool carrying member.

2. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member extending longitudinally thereof, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member, and counterbalancing means secured to said arm to exert a force on said arm when said arm is on either side of a central position to hold said arm in a set angular position with respect to said tool carrying member.

3. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a spindle arm support mounted on said frame, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said support and pivotal to either side of a center position and normally `biased toward center position, and counterbalancing means secured to said spindle arm to exert force against said arm as said arm moves to either side of said central position to hold said spindle arm in a set position.

4. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member extending longitudinally thereof, a track supporting said tool carrying member, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member and movable to either side of a center position, a Weight arm secured to said tool carrying member and pivotal through dead center position, and means connecting said weight arm to said spindle, said weight arm being positioned at substantially dead center when said spindle arm is in center position.

5. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member extending longitudinally thereof, a track extending transversely of the frame and supporting said tool carrying member, a spindle arm on said tool carrying member, a weight arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member, said spindle arm being movable through a center position, said Weight arm being pivotal through a dead center position extending upwardly vertically from its pivotal support, and means connecting said weight arm and said spindle arm, said weight arm being in substantially dead center position when said spindle arm is in center position.

6. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member transversely adjustable on said frame, a spindle pivotally secured to said tool carrying member and movable to either side of a center position, a bracket secured to said tool carrying member, a Weight arm pivotally secured to said bracket and being pivotal through a dead center position extending vertically above said bracket, and link means connecting said Weight arm to said spindle arm, said spindle arm being in substantially center position When said weight arm is in dead center position.

'7. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member transversely adjustable on said frame, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member and being pivotal to either side to a central position, a bracket secured to said tool carrying member, a Weight arm pivotally secured to said bracket and extending upwardly therefrom, a weight on said Weight arm spaced substantially from said bracket, and link means pivotally secured to said Weight arm and to said spindle arm to move said spindle arm and weight arm in unison.

8. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member transversely adjustable on said frame, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member and movable through a center position, a bracket secured to said tool carrying member, a Weight arm pivotally secured to said bracket, a weight on said weight arm, a link and universal joint means connecting said link to said spindle arm and to said Weight arm to move said arms in unison.

9. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member mounted for transverse movement with respect to said frame, a spindle arm pivotally secured to said tool carrying member, a pivot projecting from said spindle arm, a universal joint on said pivot, a bracket secured to said tool carrying member, a Weight arm pivotally secured to; said bracket, a universal joint on said Weight arm, and a link connecting said universal joints.

10. A carving machine having in combination an arm pivotally mounted for movement through a center position, a bracket, a Weight arm pivoted to said bracket, and pivotally movable through a dead center position, and means connecting said weight arm and said first named arm, said weight arm moved through dead center position as said rst named arm pivots through center position.

11. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member transversely adjustable on said frame, a series of arms pivotally secured to said tool carrying member, means connecting said arms for simultaneous movement thereof, a bracket secured in fixed relation to said tool carrying member, a weight arm pivotally secured to said bracket, a Weight on said arm pivotal therewith through vertical 'dead center position, and link means connecting said Weight arm to said rst named arm.

12. A carving machine having in combination a frame, a tool carrying member transversely adjustable With respect to said frame, a series of arms pivotally connected to said tool carrying member, means connecting said arms to move said arms in unison, means normally biasing said arms toward a center position, and means engageable with one of said arms for counteracting said biasing tendency.

JULIAN N. KIRBY. EARL W. GRUMKE. 

